News

August, 2008

• 13 August

  Navy Sonar Pact is Reached

  

  (From latimes.com)- The U.S. Navy will restrict the use of low-frequency active sonar during training to prevent possible harm to whales and other creatures, under an agreement reached with environmental groups Tuesday. The accord, approved by a federal court in San Francisco, would restrict the use of a type of …
• 13 August

  Moko Still Enjoying Life at Mahia

  (From gisborneherald.co.nz)- Even in the depths of winter when the sea is rough and the wind cold, Moko the Mahia dolphin continues to wow crowds. Moko made international headlines in March this year when she saved two pigmy sperm whales from near-certain death by leading them out of the bay …
• 12 August

  5 Guana Fishermen Caught in Arrest Net

  

  (From pontevedrarecorder.com) Florida- State law enforcement officers cast their net over Lake Ponte Vedra last week and arrested five Jacksonville residents they say were using an illegal net to fish in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area. “A gill net is an indiscriminant killer. It’s not selective. Commercial fishing gear …
• 12 August

  Harbour Porpoise Spotted at Sutton on Sea

  

  (From louthleader.co.uk) England- Visitors to Sutton on Sea beach on Saturday afternoon were treated to a sighting of what was believed to be a harbour porpoise. The Harbour Porpoise is a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The species is on the World Conservation Union”s “vulnerable” list …
• 12 August

  Stop & Shop to Stop Selling Some Fish

  

  (From bostonherald.com)- The Stop & Shop supermarket chain says it will stop selling some species of fish that are threatened by overfishing. Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. announced last month that it would stop buying fresh shark. Tracy Taylor, a senior buyer for the largest supermarket chain in New England, …
• 12 August

  Rare Whale Calf Spotted Near Augusta

  

  (From thewest.com.au)- A rare white whale calf has been spotted frolicking in Flinders Bay in the State”s South-West. The calf, seen near Augusta, could be one of just 10 in the world. He said the whales were in the bay to give birth to the calves and should stay until …
• 12 August

  African Penguins May Be Extinct Soon

  

  (From thetimes.co.za)- African penguins caught in the recent oil spills off the Cape Town coast have more to worry about, they might be extinct within 16 years. Venessa Strauss, chief executive of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, said this scientific prediction was based on current …
• 12 August

  Elephant Seals Monitor Climate Change

  

  (From news.com.au)- The massive mammals – the male of the species can weigh more than three tonnes – are being fitted with special oceanographic sensors to record data in parts of the ocean traditional monitoring cannot access. The work being done by the elephant seals is particularly critical in light …
• 12 August

  Surf Event Swells Charities’ Coffers

  

  (From thedaily.com.au) – What was started by a few locals 16 years ago has now turned into a bona-fide international event, and the success of the 2008 Festival of Surfing means the elder statesmen of the water can share their love with charities. Those events raised more than $100,000, which …
• 12 August

  Island Board OKs New Lighting Law for Turtles

  

  (From ledger-enquirer.com) Jekyll Island, Georgia- The Jekyll Island Authority board approved an update Monday to 1981 rules meant to prevent loggerhead turtle hatchlings from being disoriented by artificial light and losing their way to the sea. The new rules require that exterior lights visible from the beach point down and …
• 12 August

  Bush Seeks to Limit Species Law

  

  (From online.wsj.com) – The Bush administration is proposing to reduce the environmental reviews federal agencies must undertake as part of the Endangered Species Act. The proposal could speed up commercial development, but environmentalists said the changes could threaten the protection of wildlife.
• 12 August

  Quarter of World’s Whales and Dolphins Face Extinction

  

  (From telegraph.co.uk)- Almost a quarter of the world”s whales and dolphins are now threatened and moving towards extinction, the latest survey reveals. And more than 10 per cent of these – nine species – are now officially listed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered.